Banjo



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. M. CHAPMAN.

BANJO.

No. 440,012. Patented N0v.4, 1890.

A) n Q o ATTORNEY.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

O. M. CHAPMAN.

BANJO. No. 440,012. Patented Nov. 4, 1890 9 Mg Q INVENTOI? L M mu m u ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE CHARLES M. CHAPMAN, OF FORT EDWARD, NEV YORK.

BANJO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 440,012, dated November 4, 1890. Application filed December 2, 1389. Serial No. 332,351. (No model.)

To an whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES M. CHAPMAN, of Fort Edward, in the county of lVashington and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Banjos; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in banjos.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved simple inexpensive banjo wherein the vibrations of the head and drum or body will not be impaired and the sound will be clear, full, and distinct; and a further obj ect is to provide an improved banjo not having the exterior braces, looks, or hooks, but

provided with improved internal means for adjusting the parchment-head; and a further object is to provide an improved tail-piece which will not cut or wear the strings and will firmly hold them against slipping. These objects are accomplished by and my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and in combinations of parts more fully described hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of the banjo, showing the outer case or box. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is a top plan without the outer box. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan of the banjo body or drum. Fig. 6 is a detail of the tailpiece.

In the drawings, the reference-letter a indicates the usual handle or staif of the banjo, provided with the keys I) and strings c, secured at their upper ends thereto. At its lower end the handle is secured to the periphery of the body or drum (1. This body consists of a ring open at the bottom, and at its upper portion having an annular inwardly-extending ledge or shoulder e, which shoulder at its inner edge is provided with the annular upwardly extending flange f.

The drum-head gis tightly stretched upon the inner adjustable ring 71., and the edges of said head are doubled up and in the fold incloses a circular rod or ring 1'. The ring it is of a size to fit within the flange f and leave suflicient annular space for the head, and a distance below the ledge e of the body the ring is provided with an outwardly-extending annular ledge j, corresponding with said ledge e and below the ring in the drum-head, and the outer edge of this annular ledge is provided with a downwardly-extending annular flange 7c, bearing against the inner face of the banjo-body. A series of boltsl are secured to the under side of the ledge e and project downwardly and loosely through the corresponding ledge of the adjustable ring, and the lower ends of said bolts are provided with the nuts or thumb-screws m, bearing against the under face of said ledge of the adjustable ring. Hence it will be observed that the adjustable ring can be raised or lowered to tighten or loosen the drum-head by means of said adjusting nuts and bolts, the lower edge of the head being held stationary by the ring in the same bearing against the ledge 9 when the adjustable ring is adjusted.

The tail-piece a consists of a single piece of sheet metal-bent to form the fiat base bolted to the upper side of the ledge e, diametrically opposite the handle or staff. The metal is bent up from the base, and its upper portion is formed into a horizontal cylinder 0, with a short strip between the cylinder and base, which strip is provided with a number of perforations equal to the number of strings on the instrument. The strings are secured by having their ends passed through said perforations and then around the cylinder to the main lengths of their respective strings, around which the ends are looped and then tucked between the cylinder and string.

The outer body or box 19 is closed on the bottom and sides and open at the top, with its sides preferably inclined inwardly. This outer body is of such size that the body of the banjo can. rest in the same without coming in contact with any of its walls and will leave an annular space around the banjo for the escape of the sound. The main body is provided with a recess and flanges at one side,

forming a seat, in which the handle is secured,

and at a point diametrically opposite the body is secured to the outer box by a cross piece or brace g. This box catches the sound and throws it out with increased volume, and when the banjo is held up against the body in use the free vibration of the banjo will not be impaired, as the outer box rests against the clothes of theplayer. The banjo can be used with or without this outer body. There are no exterior braces, hooks, or adjusting devices to catch the clothes or be in the way.

It is evident that various changes can be made in the form and arrangements ofithe. parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of myinvention. HenceIdo not wish to limit myself to the exact'construction herein set forth.

What I claim is- 1. A banjo consisting of the annular body having the annular shoulder and upwardlyextending flange, the adjustable ring within said body, the drum-head stretched on said inner ring and having its edge retained under said shoulder, and means within the body to adjust said ring and tighten or loosen the drum-head, substantially as described.

2. In a banjo, the combination of the hollow open body having an inwardly-extending ledge and an annular flange extending up from the inner edge of said ledge, an adj ustable ring within said body, fitting within said flange, and having a ledge below said ledge 01": the body, the drum-head on the outer end of said ring, having its edge caught beneath said ledge of the body, bolts rigidly secured to said body-ledge and extending through the ring-ledge and provided with nuts on their outer ends, for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination, in a banjo, the handle,

an annular open body secured thereto, the I inner open ring fitted and adjustable longitudinally within said body, the head stretched upon said ring and having its edge rigidly held within said body, and the securing and 5 adj usting bolts for said ring within said body.

on said ring and having a ring wrapped in its edge and retained beneath said shoulder, and means within said body to adjust and secure said first-mentioned ring to loosen or tighten the head, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the handle and the annular open body, of a ring fitted loosely Sin the body, the drum-head stretched over one end of said ring and having its edge rigidly retained between the ring and inner side of the body, and securing means, substantially as described, within said body to adjust the ring longitudinally to tighten. or loosen the head.

6. In combination, the handle, the body secured thereto and carrying the drum-head, and the sound-box closed at the bottom, open at the top, and having upwardly-tapering sides, said body being removably secured in the box by means of the handle and a single brace, substantially as described,

7. A banjo tail-piece formed integral and consisting of a flat base provided with apertures for the securing means, the body extending up from the same and bent to form a cylinder parallel with the base, the strip between the cylinder and base being provided with perforations.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES M. CHAPMAN. Witnesses:

T. H. OHEESMAN, MELVIN N. MoRY. 

